Has my MK3 NC been lowered, and if so can it be heightened? (see photos)

Hi,

(Please bear with me as I’m clueless about much on my partner’s recently bought (supposedly stock) Mk 3 (2010), I’m generally more comfortable with pre-electronic ignition era cars! I am prepared to research topics and get my hands dirty when I have a workspace, to do my bit to look after her lovely car and am learning fast!)

London speed bumps, ramps, tables and cushions are badly scraping the bottom of the car (front and mid section). Regardless of how we approach them (half-on the cushions & ramps, as slow as 2mph etc.!). We’re gritting teeth as the car get mauled nearly every time. 

So I’d appreciate any advice based on the photos. I thought this car was “stock” factory condition. I’ve measure the car and from centre of wheel to bottom edge of wheel arch (centred above hub) and it’s 340mm. From my initial research I wondering if this is too low.  From the photos, can you see or advise me about any adjustments to this car which might be the cause? Are they reversible, how, and who could do it?

If there’s any more info required for diagnosis, I’m quite happy to take more photos and measurements.

I’m aware that I’m probably missing something, so any advice is much appreciated. If I need to get the car to an expert for immediate attention, any pointers to such a person in East/North London would be most welcome too. I simply can’t allow this abuse of the car to continue!

Many thanks in advance for helping me take care of this lovely car before the speed ramps in London turn it into something reminiscent of the Flintstones!
Ray

 



Deffo been lowered, many of us have stock springs knocking about in our garage that would raise it by at least 30mm, i’m sure somebody local will help you out.

You also need to do something about the rust. The front subframe unusually is affected. Where has the car spent its life ?

Hi Ray - sorry to hear about the issues you’re having.

From the photos, I think that your car may be a 2.0 Sportech?  It certainly has the 17" Sportech wheels.

If so, then it’s similar to mine although I have the PRHT (folding hardtop version).  I can advise that mine’s on the standard factory-spec Sportech suspension; the measurements on mine from the wheel centres to the bottom edge of the wheelarches above the hubs are 350mm rear & 360mm front.

The Sportech came with “Sports” suspension as standard which included Bilstein dampers - these units are bright yellow.  So if yours is the 2.0 Sportech, then it’s obviously not on its factory dampers?

There are lots of speed bumps around where I live - both the “cushion” & “full road width” types - & I’ve never had any grounding problems with my car.

As Raymond Harper says, that front subframe needs some attention!

One of the main reasons for getting my partner’s first MX-5 was because the breadth of knowledge and generosity of members here in sharing their experience to help us along. Many thanks for all your responses, they are very much appreciated.

As for the car, we’ve only had it a few weeks but have been wondering about where it’s been previously kept. It’s only done 40k miles (literally yesterday), and the interior is in very good condition, the engine bay is almost spotlessly new. The previous owner - by all accounts very careful - only had it a year (now retiring abroad), offered nothing as to it’s history as he bought it from a dealer. When I bought it (£6500) it seemed a good genuine car. My inspection showed some small signs of moisture/dampness (under boot lining, most pages of unused handbook wrinkled liked they’d been wet), but otherwise the car was in great condition compared to others we viewed. When I took the above photos they spooked me a bit, but I think it might look worse with camera flash.  Still As you say , I’ll get the rust looked at.

Now i’m wondering if it was maybe lowered too much for the pond it was kept parked up in!

Ray

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The service history is on line. Go to Mazda and add your details. You can then see the service history and can download the information. Usually people want to lower the car but if you are hitting speed bumps then perhaps change to standard springs. Not sure if you would also need the shock absorbers. Any garage should be able to do this for you. Then get the rust sorted. You can sell the old springs on facebook.

 

OP?

You can also check it’s MOT history…to a degree…on the DVLA website.

Low miles is no indication of previous issues.

Just for peace of mind. ( For all the info you really get!) 

Furthermore, should you change the suspension in any manner, I can personnaly recommend you have it professionally “laser aligned” by a recognised 5 expert.

That is to say…not just anyone with a “Hunter”

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This certainly looks like the “Standard” non Sport Suspension. You could go to the on line manual at Mellens.net and check the part numbers on te shock absorbers against what they quote for a standard car or the Sport. The springs don’t seem to have any colour codes which would also help. It looks like this car has been stored somewhere quite damp - a grass driveway maybe. Even for a Mazda the rust appears to be quite bad for a car of this age. I would wonder what the rest of the body underside is like…

My now lowered 2006 has a wheel centre to wheel arch dimension of 350mm - it was 380mm originally. I also have the original springs if anyone has a problem with too little ground clearance on the later models.

I put a sports suspension on my '56 NC with Bilsteins. It measures 350 mm. I kept the original springs in case I regretted the change, but I certainly havn’t. Except very occasionally on French side roads. And if you want to transform the handling fit the RX8 anti roll bars. I will happily sell the NC original springs, done 22k miles for a sensible amount.

In response to feedback above:
Pre-buying I checked the online MOT history -  only a few advisories for minimal things which never re-occurred on later MOTs so were I think sorted, I remember checking receipts. The Mazda digital history was complete too.

Many thanks for the offer of the springs - and I might come back to you yet!

As this is my beloved’s car, and based on the above feedback, I’m thinking first the car needs to be up on a ramp for a good inspection underneath by a specialist who can do any suspension work and maybe advise on the rust.


Now where to find the right MX5 mechanic?

I’m in Northeast central London, so would appreciate any pointers for a MX5 specialist in the London Area (accessible by TFL public transport would be great!).

 Or is the Mazda main dealer service my only option?

 Thanks again for all your help and offers,

Ray

Wheels In Motion in Chesham (Metropolitan Line) can certainly advise on the suspension.

+1 for Wheels in Motion; highly recommended.

@argeetee if you are still around just wondering how this panned out as I find myself in similar situation?

Sorry for super-late reply. In the end my partner (it’s her car but my workload :wink: decided to keep it as is and goes veeery slow over speedbumps. She even looks out to avoid puting the wheels over the worn low spot on the hunps!

No problem, having bought the springs but not yet fitted I’m in two minds. I love the way the car looks -30 and it’s a great drive on smooth roads but I find myself driving like a granny on anything bumpy just in case it scrapes.

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Just to complete this I have gone back to standard springs and not one scrape in 200 miles, so absolutely no regrets. Couldn’t really enjoy the car when I spent every drive on a bumpy road waiting for a scrape.

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Nice looking MX you have there, Please don’t Raise the height unless you really have to, They look nicer Lowered. That’s why so many ARE lowered during their life …. My one ( similar to yours ) Irritated me Because it sat so high on its springs, I had it lowered and was the best money I have spent on my one. Thrilled with the transformation, However, it’s your car so your choice It’s there to be enjoyed , best regards from Ray Hill in Epping Essex…

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